Growth Is Reaching Its Limits in Many Ways; Is Democracy Too?

Published: Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 12:09 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 12:09 a.m.

About 200 years ago, humans in Europe started using factories to produce things. That started the Industrial Revolution. People started leaving farms to come live in cities and work in factories.

The process has accelerated over the years. Economic growth through industrialization for these past 200 years outpaced population growth, to provide a higher and higher percentage of the population on planet earth with improved material well-being. Modern medicine decreased the death rate.

Some dreamed of infinite growth. It was a delusion, because we live on a finite planet. In 200 years, 500 million people has increased to 6 billion and still growing. Increased well-being is reversing into increasing privation and misery, because of shortages of resources, including a shortage of good jobs.

We are using up resources too fast now: water, forests, ocean fish, phosphate, oxygen, etc. Yes, there is a decline in oxygen levels in the atmosphere.

Also, simultaneously, we are reaching the saturation point of the planet's ability to absorb poisons from industrialization.

Growth is reaching its limits. Most of the people on the planet are ignorant or in denial of that fact.

There is no leadership anywhere by government officials to acknowledge the limits and promote appropriate policies. Antarctic and Greenland melt, rising ocean levels. Florida fights Georgia over scarce water. The predicted resource wars have begun.

Detroit goes bankrupt. Overpopulated Egypt disintegrates because there is not enough for all. The damaged Japanese nuclear plant leaks radioactive water into our ocean. For lack of money, Texas converts some paved roads back to gravel roads.

Sadly, our U.S. Congress dawdles, obstructed by some Republicans who are anti-science.

In The Ledger on Aug. 17, columnist Paul Krugman reminded us democracy depends on an informed public voting in candidates who offer problem-solving ideas. Has democracy reached limits too?

<p>The modern world created by humans is coming unraveled. </p><p>About 200 years ago, humans in Europe started using factories to produce things. That started the Industrial Revolution. People started leaving farms to come live in cities and work in factories.</p><p>The process has accelerated over the years. Economic growth through industrialization for these past 200 years outpaced population growth, to provide a higher and higher percentage of the population on planet earth with improved material well-being. Modern medicine decreased the death rate.</p><p>Some dreamed of infinite growth. It was a delusion, because we live on a finite planet. In 200 years, 500 million people has increased to 6 billion and still growing. Increased well-being is reversing into increasing privation and misery, because of shortages of resources, including a shortage of good jobs.</p><p>We are using up resources too fast now: water, forests, ocean fish, phosphate, oxygen, etc. Yes, there is a decline in oxygen levels in the atmosphere.</p><p>Also, simultaneously, we are reaching the saturation point of the planet's ability to absorb poisons from industrialization.</p><p>Growth is reaching its limits. Most of the people on the planet are ignorant or in denial of that fact.</p><p>There is no leadership anywhere by government officials to acknowledge the limits and promote appropriate policies. Antarctic and Greenland melt, rising ocean levels. Florida fights Georgia over scarce water. The predicted resource wars have begun.</p><p>Detroit goes bankrupt. Overpopulated Egypt disintegrates because there is not enough for all. The damaged Japanese nuclear plant leaks radioactive water into our ocean. For lack of money, Texas converts some paved roads back to gravel roads.</p><p>Sadly, our U.S. Congress dawdles, obstructed by some Republicans who are anti-science.</p><p>In The Ledger on Aug. 17, columnist Paul Krugman reminded us democracy depends on an informed public voting in candidates who offer problem-solving ideas. Has democracy reached limits too?</p><p>TRAVIS EPSHIRE</p><p>Lakeland</p>